BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASELander Field Office and Washakie Ranger District

Release Date:
07/24/09

Contacts:

Sarah Beckwith or Chuck Russell (307-347-5100)

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Barbara Gustin (307-332-5460)

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Fires Burning in Sinks Canyon Close to Containment

A fire is currently burning in Sinks Canyon State Park across the highway from the Sawmill Campground. The human-caused fire was discovered early on July 23. The fire is approximately 50 acres and is burning on primarily state land and some private land, in grass, sage, and juniper.

The fire was initially reported at approximately 4:30 a.m. by a homeowner near the mouth of the canyon. Initial attack was conducted by the Fremont County Fire Protection District (Lander Rural). The unified command is comprised of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Lander Rural, U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and state crews.

No permanent structures are threatened and there have been no injuries reported. “The crews are getting a good handle on the fire and we hope to have it contained by 4:00 p.m. today,” said BLM Incident Commander Dennis Strange.

Resources assigned to the fire include seven engines (Lander Rural); two engines, one Type 2 crew, and one hotshot crew (BLM); one Type 2 crew and a Type 3 helicopter crew (state); and two squads (FS).

Wild land fire investigations determined the fire to be human-caused. Anyone having information regarding these fires should call Craig Haslam, Fremont County Fire Warden, at 307-857-3030, or contact your local law enforcement.

Another fire was discovered at Bruce’s Bridge in the dispersed camping area of Hugh Otte on the Shoshone National Forest. It burned approximately 1 acre and is expected to be contained by 3 p.m. This fire is under investigation. The Sinks Canyon Campground that was temporarily closed is now open. The Hugh Otte dispersed campsite is closed until further notice.

Resources assigned to the fire were one FS engine and one BLM engine.

High Country Construction is not working on the switchbacks today due to the fires, but will resume work tomorrow, July 24th. Highway 131 into Sinks Canyon is open, but the public is being asked to be considerate of the fire crews that are still manning the fires in the canyon.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.

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Lander Field Office and Washakie Ranger District
1335 Main
Lander, WY 82520-0589